Tuesday, May 31, 2011

News and Notes: 5.31.11

Presentations today. We will gather around the computers.

You will also help with distribution sign making and the like.

From Joyce:
Hi bookies! I hope you are all excited to get the book tonight. Its
amazing. Dont forget your potluck. Bring pens for yearbook signing and
bring a game if you want to play it, like Twister or something. We can
also go to the park by my house. See you at 5! - joyce
 Please remember that staff members get their books at the staff party. If you cannot be there, you will have to wait until distribution tomorrow.

Friday, May 27, 2011

News and Notes: 5.27.11

Today is the last day to complete your Professional Development requirement for the quarter.

Finish your projects. Presentations begin Monday.

Yearbook distribution is Wednesday. Wear your staff shirt (either Got Yearbook? or 10X More) to participate in the events of the day.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

News and Notes: 5.26.11

Mr. Brown will be here to collect the registration forms and answer any questions you might have about the writing class.

All Professional Development must be completed by Friday, May 27. Be sure this is done in a timely manner.

Continue working on your projects. Presentations will start on Tuesday with seniors.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

News and Notes: 5.25.11

Today is Career Day. Consult the board for the schedule.

Don't forget:
  • Worknight is today! (This is also, unfortunately, the same night the ladies softball team goes to the playoffs!). If you still need to work on your project, you are welcome to come in. Computer space may be limited.
  • All Professional Development must be finished by Friday, May 27.
  • We have just three weeks of school left. A period your final is Tuesday, June 7 from 7:20-9:15 (it was either that or have you come in at 9:30 on the last day of school). First period, your final is Monday, June 6 from 9:30-11:30. This does NOT include seniors.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

News and Notes: 5.24.11

Don't forget:
  • Worknight Wednesday, May 25. (This is also, unfortunately, the same night the ladies softball team goes to the playoffs!). If you still need to work on your project, you are welcome to come in. Computer space may be limited.
  • All Professional Development must be finished by Friday, May 27.
  • We have just three weeks of school left. A period your final is Tuesday, June 7 from 7:20-9:15 (it was either that or have you come in at 9:30 on the last day of school). First period, your final is Monday, June 6 from 9:30-11:30. This does NOT include seniors.

Monday, May 23, 2011

News and Notes: 5.23.11

Congratulations to the first Miss Hercules, Domonique Jones! She was crowned at Saturday evening's event.

Don't forget:
  • Worknight Wednesday, May 25. (This is also, unfortunately, the same night the ladies softball team goes to the playoffs!). If you still need to work on your project, you are welcome to come in. Computer space may be limited.
  • All Professional Development must be finished by Friday, May 27.
  • We have just three weeks of school left. A period your final is Tuesday, June 7 from 7:20-9:15 (it was either that or have you come in at 9:30 on the last day of school). First period, your final is Monday, June 6 from 9:30-11:30. This does NOT include seniors.

Friday, May 20, 2011

News and Notes: 5.20.11

Continue working on your projects. I will be doing another formal check next Tuesday. Be prepared to show what you have accomplished.

All professional development must be completed by May 27. That is ONE week from today.

If you need to work on your project next Wednesday at worknight, please come in. Computer space may be limited since the newspaper staff is on a production deadline, so it's first come, first served.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

News and Notes: 5.19.11

Congratulations to Charles Gomez and Stefan Feurst who each took second place awards in the Journalism Education Association of Northern California Annual Contest. Charles was got the nod in the Yearbook Photo Illustration category while Stefan was acknowledged in the Newspaper Column Writing category. For a complete list of winners, click here.

Don't forget worknight is May 25. Please feel free to come in and work on your projects. Computer space may be limited.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

News and Notes: 5.18.11

Mr. Brown will be here tomorrow to talk about the writing class he's offering through Contra Costa College. Give this opportunity SERIOUS consideration. After his presentation, you will have the remainder of the period to work on your project.

Yes, that does mean that presentations are postponed to May 31. Seniors will still go first and will get the bad news about this change tomorrow. Yes, this also means that you have all of next week to finish the project.

If you weren't here May 2 for the talk by columnist Tom Barnidge, you need to finish your professional development no later than May 27.

Monday, May 16, 2011

News and Notes: 5.16.11

Presentations begin on Thursday. Pairs with seniors will go first. There will be no presentation on Friday, May 20.

The room will not be open during lunch this week, but WILL be open beginning at 1:15 on Tuesday and Thursday. You may come in after school to work at least until 5 pm.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

News and Notes: 5.12.11

Project. Due. Next Week.

Don't forget all Professional Development needs to be completed by May 27.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

News and Notes: 5.11.11

News you can use: First, Adobe has a deal for students on CS5.5. I know is LOOKS expensive, but it's really quite discounted. Also, Mashable has a great article on Best Practices for Media Companies on Facebook. Finally, at least one Education Ministry office in South Korea has found a novel solution to rising hemlines. Read the article and leave your comment below. Is this the way to handle short skirts? Why or why not? Leave the comment no later than the end of your class period today. Note: when leaving your comment, please remember to use professional language.

Don't forget all professional development is due no later than May 27. Don't delay. NewsU courses are highly recommended.

The room is CLOSED all week at lunch. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

News and Notes: 5.10.11

Not knowing much about bands these days, is this line-up any good? The Van's Warped Tour will be at Shoreline July 2.

The room is closed at lunch all week this week. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Continue working on your projects.

Don't forget that all Professional Development must be completed by May 27.

Monday, May 9, 2011

News and Notes: 5.9.11

Room closed all week during BOTH lunches. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Don't forget that you must complete a professional development assignment by May 27. This is part of your quarter grade and will make a difference in the final outcome of the grade. Do NOT delay. 

Continue working on your projects. Note that the room is closed during lunch all week, so you will need to make the most of your time during class.

Friday, May 6, 2011

News and Notes: 5.6.11

I will finish up looking at your projects today. Please have your files open and ready for me to look at. Be prepared to tell me about your work thus far.

All groups should be creating a Google Doc where you can make a checklist of things to do on each of the required spreads. Cross them out as you finish them and put your initials next to that item so you partner knows that you've finished that task. Once you've created the document, please share it with me. I expect to see it filled out and I expect to receive it today. Remember, since it's a Google Doc, you can all work on it at the same time!


Hoodies are here! Or t-shirts or crew neck sweatshirts. This is the design. T-shirts are $10, crew neck sweatshirts are $15, hoodies are $20. If you want a XXL shirt of any type, add $3 to the prices above. Find the order form here. Read the order form for payment instructions. All payments are due no later than the end of first period on Wednesday, May 11.No checks will be accepted (the school doesn't take them). This goes across the front of the shirt, so it's much smaller than actual size. See your editors if they have questions.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

News and Notes: 5.5.11

It's Cinco de Mayo! So, what exactly is that, anyway? Put the answer on a post-it note and put the note (with your name on it) on the door behind Wojo's desk. INCLUDE your source on the post-it note.

Mark your calendar:
  1. Your editors for next year are planning a "Get to know yearbook staff" meeting for potential recruits. The meetings will take place during lunch. Stay tuned for the dates.
  2. Your projects are due May 19. I will begin checking your progress in quick conferences TODAY. Please have the files open and ready to show me. You will also need to tell me what's working and what isn't so far.
  3. Final: Your final is distribution. HOWEVER, returning staffers are required to attend a meeting during finals week. We could do two lunch meetings (potluck or something) during the week OR you could come in during the A period final time on the last day of school. Let me know your preference.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

News and Notes: 5.4.11 Star Wars Day

Why is today Star Wars Day? Find out, put the answer on a post-it note and put the post it note (with your name on it) on the door behind Wojo's desk. Because of testing today, this offer applies only to A period staffers.

Projects are due in two weeks. Thursday and Friday I will be talking with each team about your progress. Speaking of progress, your progress reports are marked on Friday.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

News and Notes: 5.3.11

Continue working on your projects. Seniors will begin presenting May 19. If you are in A period, remember there are only a few seniors, so you could be presenting on that first day.

Editors for 2011-2012: Don't forget we have a lunch meeting immediately after testing tomorrow.

Monday, May 2, 2011

News and Notes: 5.2.11

How is Osama bin Laden's death being covered? Check out these sites to see what is being said around the world:
  1. Newsmap
  2. The World's Front Pages from Newseum (click on the thumbnails to see them better)
  3. Look at PCWorld's article on the Google Maps, Twitter and Facebook
  4. Check out the Twitter Timeline from the White House
  5. Poll: How did you hear about bin Laden's death? Vote in the poll, then look at the results.
Now that you've looked at several articles and features about the event AND the coverage of the event, start thinking about what it means. What can we learn about news coverage from this event? What are the positives and negatives of this coverage? What do people need to know about the coverage of breaking news events?

A period will have a discussion on this topic. First period has a guest speaker. Second period, we will have this discussion once the guest speaker leaves.